Williams is a great, great composer, but he couldn't have brought justice to the superior LOTR trilogy in the way that Shore did. Every soundtrack in LOTR heightens the emotions to just the right level, in my opinion. "Radagast is, of course, a worthy wizard, a master of shapes and changes of hue, and he has much lore of herbs and beasts, and birds are especially his friends."-Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings.

Yes but we Know Howard is still at his Peak & John is in November of his career. My internet Radio station plays mostly Movie Soundtracks and Ambient New Age. So I often tear up hearing various Peices of Howard's Score.

Seeing as he is a great inspiration to myself and other composers. I listen to his music every day! 'What are we holding on to, Sam?' 'There's good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for!'

Shore is an excellent composer, but only his LOTR scores have a special place in my heart, whereas I generally like John Williams' output more consistently. Nothing he has written matches what Shore accomplished with LOTR (in my opinion), though Star Wars comes closest.

John Williams is a fantastic all-around composer, but if were to go head-to-head with each composer's best masterpiece (star wars vs LOTR) then Shore blows Williams out of the water. Sure Star Wars has some of the most iconic songs to come out of a movie, but almost none of the songs have the depth of emotion that Shore conveys in the LOTR soundtrack. "'Ai! ai!' wailed Legolas. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!' Gimli stared with wide eyes. 'Durin's Bane!' he cried, and letting his axe fall he covered his face. 'A Balrog,' muttered Gandalf. 'Now I understand. What an evil fortune! And I am already weary.''

they both work for the genre they're most famous for. Williams worked very well for SW and Shore was brilliant for LotR. "It was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and go before it." ~FotR

In fairness, John Williams is more than about Star Wars. He has done themes for quite a few other big movies that are very iconic and recognizable by many. Indiana Jones and the Tower of Sorcery, Close Encounters of the 3rd Age, Jaws (Just a Watcher, Swimming), Hairy Plodder series, E.T. the Elvish Terrestrial, Back to the Fourth Age, etc.

It is a difficult decision. Williams seems to be adept in composing for films that fit in the genre of action, such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, etc., while Shore can really capture the feel of traditional fantasy. 'What are we holding on to, Sam?' 'There's good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for!'